Were these two... really thousands of years old?
Furina sighed as she thought back on all the ancient beings she had met recently.
On second thought, she would rather not.
Aside from acting somewhat normal during last night's meeting, not one of them behaved their age. Most of the time, they were even more childish than she was.
"If Miss Focalors is curious, perhaps you'll have a chance to see it once we return to Liyue Harbor," Zhongli said calmly. "Of course, if your mother had her way, she would probably bring Wushou Dance all the way to the Opera Epiclese..."
Clearly, Lora's talent for poaching performers had left a lasting impression on him.
Focalors looked slightly embarrassed by his remark.
"Wushou Dance has only begun gaining popularity in Liyue recently," Zhongli continued, playing along with the plan. "However, even though it is still in its infancy, mastering it is not something one can accomplish overnight."
Yip Tak lowered his head and fell silent.
"In my opinion, the courage to face hardship head-on is especially admirable."
Noticing Yip Tak's reaction, Zhongli continued, "Several of my tea companions have mentioned that Gaming is warmhearted and chivalrous. With such a talented and upright son, Mr. Yip must be very proud."
Yip Tak remained silent for a moment before sighing and nodding.
"He... does work very hard."
"Uh..."
The moment Zhongli called Yip Tak "Mr. Yip," Lumine and Paimon both looked at him.
That sounded normal.
Far too normal.
Compared to the way Focalors had been calling him "Uncle Yip" earlier, Zhongli's tone was so proper and measured that no one could find anything wrong with it at all.
Somehow, that made the situation even stranger.
Lora clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"Look at him. So proper."
Then she reached over and poked Xianyun.
"Hey, if this keeps going, Gaming is going to end up in the same generation as all of you."
Xianyun was speechless and refused to acknowledge her.
"Pay attention to me," Lora said, poking her again.
Xianyun shifted to the side and turned to Shenhe.
"Shenhe, make sure you perform well later."
"Understood. Don't worry, Master." Shenhe nodded solemnly, promising to do her best.
"Hey, pay attention to me." Lora continued poking Xianyun.
Xianyun moved aside again as discreetly as possible.
Lora: "..."
She saw that.
Why was Xianyun even pretending to be subtle?
Meanwhile, Paimon was encouraging Yip Tak to praise Gaming to his face. He looked hesitant, so Zhongli continued, "If Mr. Yip finds it difficult to say these things himself, we can pass along the message for you."
"That won't do... It wouldn't be appropriate!" Yip Tak rejected the suggestion without thinking.
Everyone turned to look at him.
With a helpless sigh, Yip Tak explained the situation between himself and Gaming.
He was a tea merchant who had always hoped his son would follow him into the tea business. That way, he could offer guidance and help him build a stable future.
Gaming, however, preferred working as a transport guard. He had no interest in the path his father had planned for him, and the difference between them gradually created a rift.
"Sigh... I've heard his transport work has been going more smoothly lately, and he's traveling farther each time. I'm happy for him, but I'm worried too. When we're young, we can eat three bowls of rice in one sitting and keep going. But what happens when we grow old?"
Yip Tak sighed again.
"Every time I think about that, I feel Gaming should have listened to me. If he had simply stayed and worked with me in the tea trade, the work wouldn't be too exhausting, and he could still support himself. In the end... perhaps I'm simply not a good father."
"There is no need to trouble yourself so deeply over this, Mr. Yip," Zhongli said gently. "It is only natural for parents to want to pave a smoother road for their children and hope their futures will be safe and peaceful. Anyone can understand such feelings."
Yip Tak looked at him in surprise.
"Mr. Zhongli, you don't look very old, yet you speak with such experience. Could it be... that I have misjudged your age?"
The moment he asked, everyone watching the conversation froze and turned toward Zhongli.
Zhongli remained perfectly composed.
"You flatter me, Mr. Yip. I merely have a friend whose daughters have all grown independent. Unlike you, rather than constantly worrying over the younger generation, she prefers to let go and allow her children to find their own way."
Yip Tak sighed. "She certainly knows how to let go. I'm afraid I'm not nearly so open-minded."
Focalors quietly leaned closer to Lumine and Paimon.
"Hey, do you think the friend Mr. Zhongli mentioned is Adeptus Xianyun?"
Lumine blinked, then nodded. "She's probably the only person who fits that description..."
Paimon shook her head. "No, wait. Did you forget about Lora? She has plenty of children too, and they've all gone out to make their own way!"
"Oh! Right, there's also Lady Egeria. I almost forgot." Focalors scratched her head in embarrassment.
They spoke too quietly for Yip Tak to hear, but Zhongli and everyone hiding nearby heard them perfectly clearly.
Xianyun turned toward Lora.
"There. Your daughter."
Lora: "..."
Was this never going to end?
She had only said it once!
"There is no need to worry so much, Mr. Yip," Zhongli continued. "One day, you and Gaming will come to understand each other."
"Actually... I've been meaning to say this for a while," Yip Tak replied. "Brother Zhongli, there's no need to be so formal. You can simply call me Brother Yip."
Yip Tak spent most of his time at Yilong Wharf and rarely visited Liyue Harbor. He was not particularly familiar with Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so naturally, he had no idea who Zhongli truly was.
However, after so many years in business, he had become quite skilled at judging people.
He might not know Zhongli's identity, but the refined and distinguished air surrounding him could not be faked.
Zhongli nodded. "Very well."
The three people sitting beside him froze in place.
Even Xianyun was left speechless.
"Brother Zhongli, how do you think I should treat Gaming?" Yip Tak asked.
"When the time comes to let go, you must let go," Zhongli replied. "Parents should provide a safe harbor, not become restraints. A kite moves with the wind. Pulling its string too tightly will only hold it back."
"So I really have been too stubborn..." Yip Tak murmured, shaking his head.
"Concern for one's family cannot be called stubbornness," Zhongli reassured him. "All you need to do is relax a little and trust your son, Brother Yip. Perhaps, in the blink of an eye, he will surprise you."
"The blink of an eye? Surely it won't happen that quickly..." Yip Tak gave a helpless smile.
"A day, a year, or even a single instant. The younger generation often grows before we even notice," Zhongli said. "As his father, Brother Yip should understand that better than anyone."